Pakistan rally to overcome Sri Lanka challenge

Set to score 237 in 50 overs, Pakistan romped home with 5.1 overs to spare thanks to a fighting unbeaten 61 by Sarfraz Ahmed. After Azhar Ali (34) and Fakhar Zaman (50) added 74 runs in 11.2 overs for the first wicket. Pakistan lost its way in the next 20 overs as Azhar, Fakhar, Babar Azam (10), Mohammed Hafeez (1), Shoaib Malik (11), Imad Wasim (4) and Fahim (15) got out. 

However, captain Sarfraz and Amir (28 n.o.) added 75 runs for the eighth wicket to take their team to victory. Earlier, fast bowlers Mohammed Amir and Junaid Khan combined to polish off the middle order, helping Pakistan bowl out Sri Lanka for 236. Sri Lanka looked set for a big score after being asked to bat in the final Group B match but Amir (2/53) and Junaid (3/40) scripted a turnaround with fiery spells. 

Hasan Ali (3/43) was another Pakistani paceman who made an impact at the start of the innings. Opener Niroshan Dickwella (73) and skipper Angelo Mathews (39) had put on a display of resolute batting before Amir scalped the latter to trigger the collapse at Sophia Gardens.

Amir and Junaid took two wickets each in the space of 3.2 overs as Sri Lanka lost four wickets, including the well-set Mathews and Dickwella, for six runs. Lower-order batsmen Suranga Lakmal (26) and Asela Gunaratne (27) offered dogged resistance to take Sri Lankan innings close to the 250-run mark. 

They added 46  runs for the eighth wicket. Danuhska Gunathilaka (13) fell to Junaid but Dickwella and Kusal Mendis (27) stitched a 56- run stand to keep Sri Lanka going. Then Hasan Ali came up with a fiery spell in which he dismissed Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal. 

However,Dickwella remained solid at the other end and soon completed his half-century with a single off Mohammed Hafeez. Mathews and Dickwella put on 78 runs for the fourth wicket in 16.1 overs. Amir was brought into the attack and he delivered with his second ball, getting rid of Mathews. 

Junaid sent back new man Dhananjaya de Silva (1) and Amir returned to dismiss Dickwella, who fell to a sensational low catch by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed. Junaid saw the back of Thisara Perera to close the Lankan innings. 

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 236 all out in 49.2 overs (A Dickwella 73, A Mathews 39, Hasan Ali 3/43, Junaid Khan 3/40, Amir 2/53) Pakistan 237-7 in 44.5 overs (Fakhar Zaman 50, Azhar Ali 34, Sarfraz Ahmed 61 not out. Pradeep 3/60).